Road to the Stayers Hurdle

frontrunner said:
3 furlongs less might be the answer.
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Nicholls said: "This trip (two and a half miles) suits him. He will have an entry in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, just in case it falls apart or something, but I guess I'd nearly keep him fresh for Aintree. I think Aintree over two and a half would suit him well.
 
My point was he is a non stayer over 3 miles (never mind 3 miles at prestbury) and the improvement at Kempton was due to the shorter distance. I think the 12/1 for the stayers should have a nought on the end.
 
frontrunner said:
My point was he is a non stayer over 3 miles (never mind 3 miles at prestbury) and the improvement at Kempton was due to the shorter distance. I think the 12/1 for the stayers should have a nought on the end.
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I agree with the 120/1....Nicholl's isnt going to go 3 miles with him again...

"A fresh, flat track would suit him as well. We might then look at Sandown on the last day of the season as there is a lovely race for him there over two-five, then we can go chasing in the autumn as that is his job.
 
Normally I'd say now way does he go back to 3 miles for the Stayers, at least not this year.

But then Nicholls repeatedly said he finally found the way to train Politologue, and that was to have him fresh whereby he'd go straight to Cheltenham after the Tingle Creek. Then he ran him in the Clarence House.

Then, of Clan Des Obeaux after the King George; "He definitely will not go to Cheltenham and we'll either save him as a fresh horse for Aintree or Punchestown". Now he has entries in 3 races over the coming 3 weekends.

He's a highly doubtful stayer regardless IMO but I wouldn't put it past him to turn up.
 
wilsonl said:
Normally I'd say now way does he go back to 3 miles for the Stayers, at least not this year.

But then Nicholls repeatedly said he finally found the way to train Politologue, and that was to have him fresh whereby he'd go straight to Cheltenham after the Tingle Creek. Then he ran him in the Clarence House.

Then, of Clan Des Obeaux after the King George; "He definitely will not go to Cheltenham and we'll either save him as a fresh horse for Aintree or Punchestown". Now he has entries in 3 races over the coming 3 weekends.

He's a highly doubtful stayer regardless IMO but I wouldn't put it past him to turn up.
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"then we can go chasing in the autumn as that is his job.
 
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frontrunner said:
My point was he is a non-stayer over 3 miles (never mind 3 miles at Prestbury) and the improvement at Kempton was due to the shorter distance. I think the 12/1 for the stayers should have a nought on the end.
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You can't really call him a non-stayer on the basis of the Ascot race when he had 7 stayers behind him including Lisnagar Oscar. It was a slowly run race and he got to the front too soon, and the two who finished in front, do share favouritism for the big one...And it was stamina not speed that beat On The Blind side, with the speedier Thomas Darby found wanting at Kempton!

I'd give him a better chance at Liverpool over the 3m than the 2.5m
 
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Nicholls will do whatever maximizes his chances of winning the trainers title. If and when that is in the bag, logic may prevail!!!

He couldn't resist what he thought was going to be a soft touch in the Clarence house

Sent from my SM-J415FN using Tapatalk
 
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Well, I suppose today we find out how shrewd or otherwise my ante-post bet on Pauls Saga is/was.

To be honest, she wouldn't have much in hand of Eglantine Du Seuil's very best form at today's weights but if Timeform has her 12/13lbs clear I imagine they're only rating EDS on this year's form. if that's what happens in the race PS could win either by a large margin or pulling a train, maybe even both.

A poor run - first time up after travelling etc so not impossible - might see her back on the boat home!

We shall see.
 
Fuxake... has Paul's Saga lost a leg or something? Odds against??

I'm worried now. I have her in a lumpy win double with Allmankind.
 
That wasn't the same horse I saw scoot round Auteuil at pace, jumping very fluently.

I can make allowances for her needing the run (as the trainer warned) and not going fast enough over a shorter trip but...
 
I have to say, DO, in my experience, horses rarely scoot round Auteuil at pace......the races are generally run at a bit of a crawl.......certainly, they’re a lot more sedate than we’d see over here (likely due to ground generally being bottomless).
 
Have you seen the video, GH?

I watched it for the first time earlier today and was quite taken aback at how fast they appeared to be going in what was reportedly heavy ground. The 30/100 favourite set out in front, clearly intending to grind her field into submission but could never shake off Paul's Saga who nabbed her near the line. They were strung out like washing behind.

The likes of Rameses De Teillee and Agrapart - I can concede that the latter is on the downgrade but he was tailed off anyway - couldn't get near the lead from an early stage.

Anyway, my initial disappointment today has subsided. I checked Easysland and noted he was well below form and noted he was a long way below form over here in November but will probably be odds-on in March. Maybe Cottin has decided there's no point in having Paul's Saga 100% until it matters.

I've gone in again at 33/1 NRNB.
 
It's more a case of my general tendency not to let one bad run put me off a horse, to be honest.

If the odds are longer as a result of one bad run it makes the odd occasion when events justify my quirks all the sweeter :)
 
Fury Road, Ronald Pump, and Sam's Profile all potential runners in the Boyne Hurdle on Sunday.

My heart likes pump, my head likes Sam. :)
 
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Ronald Pump has suffered a setback which has ruled him out of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Matthew Smith reports it is not serious and is optimistic his stable star will be back in action at the Punchestown Festival at the end of April.

“He’s thrown a splint. It’s going to set him back a few weeks,” said the County Meath handler.

“He did a piece of work last week and was in great form. He’s fit so we’re hoping, fingers crossed, he’ll make it to Punchestown.

“Thankfully it’s nothing serious. He’ll just need a few quiet weeks.”
 
Glad he's not seriously injured.

Having backed Sam's Profile each way, Pump was a credible contender that I don't have to worry about now.
 
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Aw bugger. Thanks for the heads up, DG. I've had the horse in a chunky each way patent. All NRNB. So no damage done.
 
There might be some value out there with Lisnagar and maybe a few others but the more I look at it, if he has no memory of his issue last year does Paisley Park not just win!?

I’ve seen a lot of people in various places say Thyme Hill will beat him. But Coleman got PP in so much trouble at Ascot and still got up off level weights.
 
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